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A teacher with students: Pursue an EdS degree in educational leadership online at Regent University.

Ed.S. – Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership

An Ed.S. Degree: Your Bridge Between the M.Ed. & Ed.D.

Keen on earning a fast-track advanced degree? Regent’s Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership is a professional degree that can be earned in just five to six semesters! A bridge between a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education, the Ed.S. degree in Educational Leadership reflects a powerful blend of theory and practical application. Sharpen your skills in critical thinking, scholarly research and writing while expanding your knowledge base and learning the latest developments in the field of education.

Online
30-32
August 24, 2026

Careers | Concentrations | Courses | Admissions | Tuition

INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL

Capitalize on a higher salary with your Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree.

EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH WITH AN ED.S. DEGREE ONLINE

Take your career to the next level with exciting leadership opportunities.

MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE

Become a champion in education while making a big impact on the lives of students.

PURSUE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2026). Our programs have also been ranked among the Top 5 Best Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia for 3 years in a row (2023-2026).

On completing the Ed.S.degree in Educational Leadership, you can:

  • Gain a competitive edge, the potential for increased pay and greater career opportunities without writing a dissertation.
  • Apply innovative interdisciplinary teaching techniques that improve student engagement and achievement.
  • Manage complex educational matters while supporting a safe and secure learning environment.

Career Opportunities

  • Teacher/Professor
  • Higher Education Administrator
  • Principal
  • Superintendent
  • Professional Development Specialist
  • Specialized Program Director
  • District-Level Administrator
  • Curriculum Developer
  • School Counselor
  • Educational Consultant
$103Thousand
Approximate Median Annual Wage for Education Administrators, Postsecondary U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – Adult Education degree program can prepare you for a career in adult education and leadership. It can equip you to design, implement and evaluate professional development programs for adult populations.

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The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – Advanced Educational Leadership program prepares you to manage complex educational issues and implement innovative strategies that improve learning environments.

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The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – Christian School Administration & Leadership equips educators (including parents and pastors) with vision and accompanying skills for bringing full biblical fidelity to Christian education.

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The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – Curriculum & Instruction program teaches you the principles of curriculum, instruction, assessment and evaluation with emphasis on program development.

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The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – Educational Psychology provides career development for educators in research and evaluation, learning and development, and testing and program assessment.

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The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – Educational Psychology Technology & Online Learning prepares K-12, higher education and corporate educators for leadership in the area of online education.

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The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership degree program focuses on a more inclusive approach to supporting exceptional learners by broadening the reach to populations who need it most.

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The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – Higher Education Administration & Leadership focuses on leadership training for educational professionals. You can explore fundamental elements of senior administration, such as policy development, higher education operations and enrollment management.

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The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – K-12 School Leadership provides continuing education for teachers and administrators seeking initial administrative endorsement. The program will equip you with principled leadership and management skills that achieve efficient and effective organizational operations.

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The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – Special Education degree program provides career development for special education teachers. It will prepare you for leadership positions in special education research, practice and policy to best serve children, youth and adults with high-incidence disabilities.

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Table listing featured courses with course code, name, and credit hours.
EADM 703Advanced Theory & Practice of Leadership Communication, & Organizations3
Critical examination of theories and practices of leadership and communication as they relate to individuals and organizations within the context of educational systems.
EFND 702Research Design & Analysis3
Overview of scholarly research and methods to evaluate research. Presents the basic concepts of quantitative and qualitative research methods and the diverse approaches to scholarly inquiry and reflective practice.
EFND 706Christian Worldview for Educators3
Explores the development of a Christian worldview with a particular emphasis on Regent University’s mission. Evaluates cultural and educational trends through the lens of a Christian worldview.
EFND 715Data-Driven Decision Making3
Descriptive statistics and data-driven decision making in problem-based learning applications. Prerequisite course: EFND 702.

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

2026-27 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 14Monday, August 24
Session MFriday, September 11Monday, September 21
Session BFriday, October 16Monday, October 26
Session CWednesday, January 6Monday, January 11
Session TFriday, January 29Monday, February 8
Session DFriday, March 5Monday, March 15
Session EFriday, April 30Monday, May 10
Session FFriday, June 11Monday, June 21

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (M.A.)$5856$3,510
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5856$3,510
M.S. in Library Science$7006$4,200
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8206$4,920
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8203$2,460
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8203$2,460

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (M.A.)$5859$5,265
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5859$5,265
M.S. in Library Science$7009$6,300
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8209$7,380
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8206$4,920
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8206$4,920

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$900 (Fall & Spring)
$750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (M.A.)$5856$3,510
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5856$3,510
M.S. in Library Science$7006$4,200
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8206$4,920
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8203$2,460
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8203$2,460

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (M.A.)$5859$5,265
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5859$5,265
M.S. in Library Science$7009$6,300
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8209$7,380
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8206$4,920
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8206$4,920

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$900 (Fall & Spring)
$750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

“I was eager to fulfill a lifelong dream and make a career change to education. Regent's Career Switcher program allowed me to complete most of the training while still on active duty. I was hired immediately upon my retirement from the Air Force.”
Joe Sexton, M.Ed., 2012 Career Switcher
“A great teacher learns how to love and care for the students. At Regent this isn't only taught as our responsibility to others but it is modeled. The caring instructors seek to grow leaders with a Christian worldview and a heart to serve others.”
Wilbur Chapman, M.Ed., 2011 TESOL
“The Virginia Beach City Public Schools cohort of ESL teachers in training was the perfect platform in which to study and learn. Upon completion of my last TESOL class, I was blessed with the opportunity to join the ESL staff of VBCPS. The amazing faculty of Regent's TESOL department helped make it possible.”
Altina Suber, M.Ed., 2015 Teacher
“Regent's M.Ed. in TESOL program has prepared me to organize and run the ESL courses at my school. Regent's TESOL professors assign the most applicable projects, which have helped me with planning lessons, selecting curriculum and creating assessments, as well as with conducting several teacher-in-service sessions for my school.”
Katherine Tipton, M.Ed., 2011 Teacher
“Regent really helped me understand the unique landscape of Christian higher education. I feel better prepared to contribute to Life Pacific College's distinct mission and purpose because of my time spent here.”
Josh Arnold, M.Ed., 2008 HR Leadership & Management